Flexible harrow.



J. L. TOWNSEND.

FLEXIBLE HARROW.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 14, 1911.

1,029,154, Patented June 11, 1912.

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J. L. TOWNSEND.

FLEXIBLE HARBOW.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 14, 1911.l

Patent-,ea JunI 11, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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IIIT STTES PATENT OFFICE.

JOI-IN L. TOWN SEND, OF WINFRED, SOUTH DAKOTA.

FLEXIBLE HARROW.

this invention is to provide a structure that will most effectively serve such advantages.

In addition to the foregoing, the advantageous feature of this device lies 1n the peculiar form of journal members coperating with the teeth and transverse bars of which the harrow 1s composed whereby a durable and flexible structure is provided which will enable the same to adjust itself more readily to uneven ground in the operation thereof over the latter.

Vith the above and other objects in view, this invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, all as hereinafter more fully described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of a section of a hai-row embodying' the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a partial view in perspective showing the manner of connecting the sections of the transverse bars; and Fig. 4A

is a partial view in perspective showing the connection of the transverse bars by the coupling members.

Throughout the following detail description and on the several figures of the drawings, similar parts are referred to by like reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, the harrow embodying this invention is provided with a suitable number of transverse toothed bars comprising the sections 1 having openings at suitable intervals therein for the usual spike teeth 2. Mounted on one extremity of each of the transverse sections 1 is the journal member 3 which is secured to the said sections by the insertion of certain of the teeth 2 through openings therein,v said teeth being threaded at their upper portion to accommodate nuts 2 between which the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .Tuly 14, 1911.

Patented June 11, 1912.

Serial No. 638,532.

transverse bar in a similar manner to the journal member 3, said members 3 and?) being connected together by means of pivot bolts 6.

At a point intermediate the ends of the sections 1 and at right angles thereto are rigidly secured by means of fastenings such as rivets or bolts the coupling members t. The coupling members 4 are bifurcated at their rear extremity and receive therebetween the forward extremity of the coupling member secured to the following transverse bar, being connected together' by means of pivot bolts in a' manner hereinbefore described in connection with the journal ment bers 3 and 5.

As will be clearly seen in Fig. l of the drawings, the teeth 2 in the transverse bars are arranged in a staggered manner for the well known purpose of thoroughly breaking the soil and, by this arrangement, certain of the journal members will intersect the coupling members t, in which case the said journal members are bent so as to fit over the coupling member and the bolt is passed through the same. In this way, the sections of the harrow are reinforced.

The coupling members -L secured to the forward transverse bar have their front extremity formed with an eye, by means of which the draw bar 7 is attached to the harrow through the instrumentality of the flexible connect-ions 8.

While it is not essential, I prefe-r to form the coupling members with flanges 9, said `iianges being stamped out of the metal and extending` downwardly on each side of the transverse sections l. In this manner the connection between the coupling member 4L and the section 1 is greatly reinforced.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing that the harrow structure as described may be folded back upon itself to permit the device to be placed on a vehicle for transportation fro-m one place to another. It will also be apparent that the pivotal connections between the journal members will allow the harrow sections to flex and adjust themselves to -the unevenness in the ground over which the harrow is dragged.

In the use of the device hereinbefore deand hold the same in position, and couplingV members pivotally connecting the transverse bars.

2. In a flexible harrow, the combination of a plurality of transverse bars composed of sections, teeth mounted on said bars, jour- In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN L. TOVNSEND.

Witnesses:

WV. Gr. VILLIAMS, M. A'. CI-IAPIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington. D. C. 

